HomeKit

HomeKit is a group of APIs (application programming interfaces) that allows developers to create apps which hook into third-party hardware to allow you to monitor and control some of what happens in your home. So, for example, if you have a smoke or carbon monoxide detector that’s connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you can check its status from your iPhone. Or you could have an app that controls a thermostat, which would be connected to your network, and use that app to turn lights on or off, or monitor energy consumption.

Apple only approved third-party HomeKit hardware at the end of last year, but already companies including Elgato, iHome and iDevices have announced products that are due for release later in 2015.